News & Events

Student scholarships the focus of May 12 Blues and White Gala

Auction items for the Gala are starting to arrive. Displaying some of the items to be auctioned at the gala are director of outreach Joseph Segilia, director of finance and business Paula Congelio, and Lori Omatick, director for development and gala chair

4/18/2012 —

The fourth annual Blues and White Gala scholarship fundraiser is scheduled for May 12 at Horizon Point in Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, Pa. The theme of this year’s gala is “Blues and White Gala with a Tuscan Twist.”

Lori Omatick, director of development at the Fayette campus and gala chair, commented that, “The gala planning committee has been working hard for months to bring the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy to our guests for the evening.”

One highlight of the evening will be the recognition of the annual “Friends of Penn State.” This year’s honoree will be the Swimmer family in appreciation of their campus support throughout the years through scholarships, awards, and activities.

Emcee for the gala will be Larry Richert, host of the KDKA News Radio Morning News. The feature activities of the Blues and White Gala are the silent and live auctions, which helped raise the $100,000 over the past three years of the event.

This year sports fans will again be interested in several of the auction packages. Items at this year’s auction include: four Pittsburgh Steelers luxury box tickets to a 2012 home game with pre-game sideline passes; a Mike Wallace autographed Steelers helmet; a Joe Paterno autographed football; a Zybnek Michalek autographed Penguins jersey; a weekend package for two at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa; an original piece of artwork by David DiPietro; a round of golf at Nemacolin Woodlands’ Mystic Rock golf course, complete with a golf lesson for four; four tickets to the Penn State vs. Ohio University football game at University Park on September 1; assorted fine jewelry, and much more. The “grand prize” auction highlight is a weekend trip for two to Little Italy in New York City including hotel accommodations.

The gala will feature dining and dancing. Musical entertainment will be by vocalist Angelo Babbaro (pictured left), performing in the style of Frank Sinatra. Babbaro has been performing for 20 years in major cities all over the country. He has recently begun performing in the Pittsburgh area.

“The gala is significant in that 100 percent of the proceeds raised are awarded in the following academic year as scholarships to students who may not otherwise afford a quality Penn State education in these difficult economic times,” said Lori Omatick. Currently, 90 percent of Penn State Fayette students qualify for financial aid.

The gala begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and dinner at 6:30 p.m. R.S.V.P.s for the Blues and White Gala are being taken through May 4. For more information, to receive an invitation or make reservations, call 724-430-4190.

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